Approximately every 6 months I go through and try to lower all my bills. All this takes is a call to T-Mobile, my cell phone company. Competition is so fierce that they really don’t want to loose you as a customer. Here are steps to lower your bill and get perks!

See when you are most productive and have the least distractions. For me that time was in the morning. I would sometimes wake up at 5am to study for the GRE before starting my day and doing my other activities. Some people are most productive in the evening.

2. Write down your daily objectives.

Writing down your goals makes them more likely to happen. There is something about the act of writing that better communicates to your brain that this is something you want to complete. Write each item on a single line and check them off as you complete them. Your mind will no longer have to keep track of your tasks and can now better focus on solving problems and getting stuff done! Check off completed items, cross out irrelevant items, and x out undone tasks. Keep all your daily To-Dos in a notebook.

Here are lessons that I have learned over the years in youth ministry. They are not in any particular order.

1) Keep Your Word

If you say you will do something. Do it. End of story. It’s better to not make a promise if you foresee a problem. If for some reason you can’t do it then apologize and let the kids know. Trust is very important. Each time you keep your word you show the youth that you are serious and actually care about them.

2)Be on Time

If you schedule an event, be on time. It is very disrespectful to come late all the time. There will always be those youth or families that will come early. By constantly coming late you can spoil their good habit of being on time. Set the example. I even encourage you to be early and prepare before anyone shows up.

3) Listen Without Judging

Don’t over react or flip out when they tell you what is REALLY going on, how how they really feel. The fact that they are honest with you shows that they trust and like you. You will be far more effective if you stay calm and let them vent. Many times they can’t vent to parents or even friends.

Keeping or cutting your insurance on your cellphone is something to carefully think about. Either decision can cost you a good amount of money each year. Even though insurance can make you feel safe and warm and fuzzy, be sure to realize that insurance companies are in business to make money. Let me say that again. Insurance companies are in the business to make money. That is their main priority.